VISTA – Second-ranked Carlsbad didn't win against Rancho Buena Vista last night. Nor did the Lancers lose, although it seemed they tried to beat themselves.
The teams ended in a 7-7 tie after a scoreless second half in an Avocado League football game that included 11 Carlsbad penalties costing 100 yards.
As for the significance of the tie, Lancers coach Bob McAllister shrugged his shoulders without comment. The tie could cost the Lancers (6-0-2, 2-0-2) a chance at the Avocado title since it's their second in league play heading into the regular-season finale next Thursday.
“You've got to give credit to RBV,” McAllister said. “They played tough. This league is tough. You have to bring your 'A' game all the time. We can't make the mistakes we did.”
The Longhorns (3-5-1, 1-2-1) rallied on their final drive of the game, leading to a 55-yard field-goal attempt by Trevor Whiddon. But his kick fell short with one second left.
RBV's E.J. Paopao rushed for 12 yards on a fourth-and-1 play to the Lancers 29, but on the next play a fierce Carlsbad rush resulted in Longhorns quarterback Cameron Chadwick being sacked for a 9-yard loss before the field-goal attempt.
In the third quarter, the Lancers committed three personal fouls on one RBV possession, but the Longhorns couldn't capitalize.
The Longhorns' Ivory Herd rushed for 91 yards on 21 carries, including a 32-yard run to open the scoring in the second quarter. Herd's TD culminated a nine-play, 58-yard drive with 10:42 left in the first half.
RBV's Todd Palmer set up the TD when he recovered a fumbled snap one play after the Lancers' Travis Miller recovered a fumble on punt coverage.
Carlsbad answered with a 26-yard TD reception by Nick Cahill, who broke wide open just ahead of the end zone to score following a Carlsbad timeout to plot a second-and-8 call. Quarterback Justin Morales scrambled for a 30-yard gain early in the seven-play, 81-yard march.
